Changing Framework of Local Governance and - Create

SummaryIn recent years, strengthening and better functioning of local governance have become primeconcerns of educational reform agenda. Establishment of effective local governance has beenpart of overall changes in educational governance for several years in many countriesincluding India. It is now widely recognized that effective local governance considerablyimpacts on access to education as well as the enrolment, retention and learning experiences ofchildren in school. It is in this context, that this paper provides an overview of the changingframework of governance of elementary education and community participation in India witha special focus on its role in improving the participation of children. An attempt has also beenmade to examine the extent to which grassroots level functionaries and local bodies likepanchayat and VEC are able to get involved in decision making processes and differentapproaches that have been taken by different states in regards to local governance ofeducation. Drawing references from recent efforts made by different states, the paper has triedto establish a link between effectiveness of local governance and issues regarding access,equity and quality of school education. While discussing the changing framework of localgovernance, the paper critically examines the guiding principles of governance reform fromtwo perspectives. ‘Top-down’ and ‘bottom-up’ approaches are discussed, in terms of ensuringthe effectiveness of the system and empowering people for active participation indecentralized decision making process.vii